2005 Honda Pilot

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Honda Pilot
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Pilot Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 2003: 720 complaints 2003 2004: 544 complaints 2005: 679 complaints 2005 2006: 266 complaints 2006 2007: 211 complaints 2008: 132 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2011: 291 complaints 2012: 170 complaints 2012 2013: 270 complaints 2014: 116 complaints 2015: 107 complaints 2015 2016: 1660 complaints 2017: 899 complaints 2018: 425 complaints 2018 2019: 859 complaints 2020: 465 complaints 2021: 400 complaints 2021 2022: 129 complaints 2023: 113 complaints 2024: 99 complaints 2024 2025: 156 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2005: 679 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2003720
2004544
2005679
2006266
2007211
2008132
2009134
2010111
2011291
2012170
2013270
2014116
2015107
20161660
2017899
2018425
2019859
2020465
2021400
2022129
2023113
202499
2025156
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 133 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TOOK MY 2005 PILOT IN FOR MAJOR SERVICE 100K . VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR INTERVALS OF FLUID REPLACEMENT AND OIL CHANGES AT NON HONDA SHOPS BUT WITH CERTIFIED COMPATIBLE PRODUCTS FROM VALVOLINE. MILEAGE ON CAR IS 107,928.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120901

AIR BAGS 17%

17% of complaints: air bags — 115 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that shortly after refueling, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, causing the speed to increase to approximately 45 MPH while approaching stopped traffic.

NHTSA ODI report, 20251024

HACE UN TIEMPO TUVE UN ACCIDENTE Y MIENTRAS CONDUCIA SOLO EN MI HONDA PILOT Y LO BOLSA DE AIRE DEL LADO DEL PASAJERO EXPLOTO AUN CUANDO NO HABIA NADIE EN EL ASIENTO DEL PASAJERO Y LA BOLSA DE AIRE DEL LADO MIO, DEL CONDUCTOR SIENDO LA MAS IMPORTANTE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20171202

DT: CALLER'S WIFE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WAS HIT IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA , AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CALLER'S WIFE HANDS WERE BURNED VERY BADLY. CALLER BELIEVED A SUBS TANGO FROM THE AIR BAGS BURNED WIFE'S HANDS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050728

SERVICE BRAKES 14%

14% of complaints: service brakes — 98 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that shortly after refueling, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, causing the speed to increase to approximately 45 MPH while approaching stopped traffic.

NHTSA ODI report, 20251024

HACE UN TIEMPO TUVE UN ACCIDENTE Y MIENTRAS CONDUCIA SOLO EN MI HONDA PILOT Y LO BOLSA DE AIRE DEL LADO DEL PASAJERO EXPLOTO AUN CUANDO NO HABIA NADIE EN EL ASIENTO DEL PASAJERO Y LA BOLSA DE AIRE DEL LADO MIO, DEL CONDUCTOR SIENDO LA MAS IMPORTANTE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20171202

DRIVING AT AROUND 45-50 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN THE MORNING RUSH HOUR, AS I PRESSED MY BRAKE SUDDENLY TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING ON TO MY LANE, I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121015

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 14%

14% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 96 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 54 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20041110 — fuel system, gasoline

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME FUEL TANKS WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.

Remedy: DEALERS REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. ALL OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004.

Campaign 04V541000 — check if this car was fixed

2005 — complaint volume: 679
R 20050125 — steering

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE STEERING COLUMN MAY BE INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy: OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON JANUARY 25, 2005, AND ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THEIR DEALERS AND HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2005.

Campaign 05V039000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110912 — EA (closed 20120917)

Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating

R 20120427 — exterior lighting

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V; MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2005 PILOT; AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVIC VEHICLES. IN MARCH 2012, HONDA FILED A DEFECT REPORT TO RECALL CER

Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL HARNESS OR REPLACE THE LIGHTING SWITCH AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE ORIGINAL RECALL BEGAN IN APRIL 2012. OWNERS OF VEHICL

Campaign 12V136000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20120604 — DP (closed 20121011)

Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction

I 20121009 — PE (closed 20130315)

Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction

I 20130221 — EA (closed 20130329)

Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction

R 20130422 — service brakes, hydraulic, traction control system

Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through Septembe

Remedy: Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator, fre

Campaign 13V092000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20140912 — air bags

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 14V353000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150126 — air bags

American Honda Motor Co.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 14V700000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150701 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 15V320000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160629 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 16V344000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170227 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

Campaign 17V029000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180622 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190410 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V182000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Campaign 19V499000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V501000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191209 — vehicle speed control

Dorman Products, Inc.

Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5.

Campaign 19E068000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R Date not on file — equipment

HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES.

Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Campaign 08E013000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Honda Pilot — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (133 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (115 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (98 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08E013000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V541000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V039000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V136000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V092000 (service brakes, hydraulic, traction control system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V353000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V700000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V320000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V344000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V029000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V182000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V499000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V501000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19E068000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2015 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2016 ■ 2017 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Honda Pilot reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Honda Pilot is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Honda Pilot?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Honda Pilot have?

15 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.